Symptoms

Signs and tests

During a pelvic examination, the health care provider will see smooth, red or purple, fingerlike growths on the cervix. A cervical biopsy will most often show cells that are consistent with a benign polyp. Rarely there may be abnormal, precancerous, or cancer cells in a polyp.

Treatment

The health care provider can remove polyps during a simple, outpatient procedure. Gentle twisting of a cervical polyp may remove it. Larger polyps may require removal with electrocautery.

Although most cervical polyps are not cancerous (benign), the removed tissue should be sent to a laboratory and checked further.

Support Groups

Expectations (prognosis)

Typically, polyps are not cancerous (benign) and are easy to remove. Polyps do not usually grow back. Women who have polyps are at risk of growing more polyps.

Complications

There may be bleeding and slight cramping for a few days after removal of a polyp. Some cervical cancers may first appear as a polyp. Certain uterine polyps may be associated with uterine cancer.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment if you have:

Abnormal bleeding from the vagina, including bleeding after sex or between periods

Abnormal discharge from the vagina

Abnormally heavy periods

Call your doctor or nurse to schedule regular gynecological exams. Ask how often you should receive a Pap smear .

Prevention

See your health care provider to treat infections as soon as possible.

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